I went into this concert already a bit in love with the idea of it: an evening of music inspired by nature and birdsong, performed by some of the UK’s best young classical musicians. In reality, it was even better than I expected. Fantasia Orchestra, joined by soprano Elizabeth Watts, turned the whole programme into a really gorgeous love letter to voice, nature, and musical storytelling.
The programme itself is such a clever journey. We hop across more than three centuries of music – Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Strauss, Berg and more, but it never feels disjointed or like a “greatest hits” playlist. Instead, the pieces are woven together so you can almost feel the evolution of orchestral music, from the elegance of the Baroque to the intensity and colour of the twentieth century. The way each work flows into the next highlights both the contrasts and the little echoes between composers, so your brain is engaged while your ears are just… very happy.
Under the baton of founder Tom Fetherstonhaugh, Birdsong becomes this beautifully paced, captivating showcase of what the orchestra can do. The ensemble is incredibly tight; every section feels tuned into each other, creating a rich, balanced sound that completely fills the hall without ever feeling heavy.
The strings form a lush backbone, expressive violins, warm violas, resonant cellos, and grounded double basses, giving everything that emotional depth you want from this kind of programme. On top of that, the flute and piccolo bring flashes of brightness and lightness, the oboe sings with this really distinctive, lyrical voice, and the clarinet and bassoon add extra depth and colour. The horn rounds it all off with warmth and a bit of grandeur. It’s one of those nights where you’re constantly noticing different details in the orchestration and thinking, “Ah, that was nice.”
One of the standout elements of the evening is soprano Elizabeth Watts (stepping in for the unwell Lucy Crowe). From the moment she appears, there’s a real shift in energy. Her voice is radiant and expressive, with a clarity that cuts through the texture of the orchestra without ever feeling harsh. She brings real emotional depth to her music, the kind that makes the room go very still, and the audience clearly feels it by the response at the end is full of warmth and appreciation.
By the time the concert ends, it feels like you’ve been on a thoughtfully curated journey rather than just listening to a series of pieces. It’s a testament to the talent and commitment of Fantasia Orchestra, guided so assuredly by Tom Fetherstonhaugh and elevated by Elizabeth Watts’s memorable appearance. I left the hall already mentally checking their future dates. It’s the kind of evening that makes you want to hear what they’ll do next.
Keep an eye on what Fantasia Orchestra are doing here – https://www.fantasiaorchestra.com
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I’m Rosie!
